Holland America Line Rebrands Popular Alaska CruiseTour Program As Land+Sea Journeys

Twelve Alaska overland options highlight Denali and Yukon in 2014

SEATTLE, May 13, 2013 /CNW/ - Holland America Line is rebranding its popular Alaska CruiseTour program with the new name Land+Sea Journeys. This change reflects substantial program updates designed to appeal to the desires of today's travelers. With more time in the marquee destinations and less overland travel time, Holland America Line guests will have more opportunities than ever to explore and personalize their Great Land vacations.

Land+Sea Journeys offer the benefit of combining the "must-see" of Denali National Park with the "seldom seen" wonders of the Yukon, including one- or two-night stays in the heart of the Klondike Gold Rush Country. Holland America Line will employ a refreshed approach to add to guests' leisure time so they can further engage in their own personal discoveries and experience more highlights en route.

Perhaps the most significant program enhancement for 2014 is a convenient one-hour flight that brings Fairbanks, Alaska, and Dawson City, Yukon closer together — replacing up to two days of motorcoach travel and a hotel overnight. Other notable elements include a new McKinley Explorer dome rail schedule between Anchorage and Denali that departs later in the morning northbound to Denali and arrives before dinnertime nearly three hours earlier heading southbound to Anchorage.

Between Denali and Fairbanks, luxury motorcoaches will provide swifter service that maximizes the guest experience in both destinations. At Westmark Fairbanks, Anchorage and Skagway, Holland America Line has begun substantial renovations that will include extensive room updates, soft goods, hotel decor and some expansion in the Skagway property.

"The name Land+Sea Journeys clearly communicates what these tours are all about, which is combining a premium Holland America Line Alaska cruise with an equally exceptional overland adventure," said Richard Meadows, Holland America Line's executive vice president of sales, marketing and guest programs. "Land+Sea Journeys feature what we do best in Alaska and the Yukon and guests get the most in-depth experiences and maximum time in beautiful and unique destinations."

In 2014, the Land+Sea Journeys run May through September and are simplified with just 12 options ranging in total length from 10 to 20 days in two distinct series: Yukon+Denali Land+Sea Journeys and Denali Land+Sea Journeys. All Land+Sea Journeys combine a three- to seven-night Holland America Line cruise with an overland adventure that includes a one-, two- or three-night stay at Denali National Park as a centerpiece of the Alaska experience.

Each Land+Sea Journey goes off the beaten path and showcases places such as Dawson City in the heart of gold rush country, charming Seward, the five-star Alyeska Resort, pristine Kluane and Tombstone Parks, colorful Skagway and the historic narrow-gauge White Pass and Yukon Route railroad.

The five Land+Sea Journeys in the Yukon+Denali series range in length from 10 to 20 days and travel roundtrip Vancouver, British Columbia, or between Vancouver and Anchorage, Alaska. During these journeys, guests will enjoy scenic cruising throughout the Inside Passage and/or Glacier Bay before calling at Ketchikan, Juneau, Haines or Skagway. In addition to Denali National Park, the overland portion includes Whitehorse, Fairbanks and Dawson.

The seven Denali series journeys range in length from 11 to 14 days and travel between Vancouver and Fairbanks or Anchorage. Included is Glacier Bay scenic cruising where guests can explore the ice-studded fjords of this national treasure for a full eight hours as a U.S. Park Service ranger narrates. Ports of call on the cruise portion include Haines or Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan.

On all Triple and Double Denali Journeys and Denali Journeys in both series, the guided six- to eight-hour Tundra Wilderness tour is included as a comprehensive overview of Denali National Park with its abundance of wildlife and the opportunity to see Mount McKinley, the highest mountain peak in North America. For adventure-seekers, there also are plenty of optional excursions to go hiking, rafting, flightseeing and fishing.

In 2014, ms Oosterdam will bring more verandah stateroom availability for Land+Sea Journeys that include a seven-day premium cruise element. Land+Sea Journeys also feature luxurious glass-domed McKinley Explorer railcars with comfortable, forward-facing seats and expert commentary by guides on the trip between Denali and Anchorage.

Unique to the Holland America Line cruise experience, Alaska-inspired cuisine is featured throughout both cruise and land components. Additionally, knowledgeable interpreters, Journey Hosts and Alaska travel guides enhance the guest experience on many Land+Sea Journeys and Alaska sailings.

Pricing for Land+Sea Journeys begins at $999 per person for an 11-day itinerary. For more information about the new Land+Sea Journeys program and Holland America Line, consult a professional travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com. A new Land+Sea Journeys brochure and planner tool will be available on the website at the end of May to help travelers explore all the options for their Alaska vacation.

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About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]
Holland America Line's fleet of 15 ships offers more than 500 cruises to 415 ports in 98 countries, territories or dependencies. One- to 110-day itineraries visit all seven continents and highlights include Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; a Grand World Voyage; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean, Bermuda, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal. The line currently has a new ship on order from Fincantieri shipyard for delivery in February 2016.

Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements, a commitment totaling more than $500 million, that showcase the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine — a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchen where more than 60 celebrated guest chefs and culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and classes — Explorations Cafe powered by The New York Times, Digital Workshop powered by Windows, teens-only activity areas and all new stateroom amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner's Dream Beds.

World's Leading Cruise Lines
Holland America Line is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Cunard Line, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises and Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, World's Leading Cruise Lines inspires people to discover their best vacation experience. Together, we offer a variety of exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations. Visit us at www.worldsleadingcruiselines.com.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Photos are available at http://www.cleanpix.com/cleanpix/portal/W454-3F5-Ezp.

SOURCE: Holland America Line

http://www.hollandamerica.com